A Lady Goes West

A healthy lifestyle blog by Ashley Pitt

Friday Favorites: A bunch of feel-good stuff

By 51 Comments

The day has come. It’s moving day for Dave and me. But for you, hopefully it’s just another fun Friday not full of boxes, stress and duct tape. Regardless of what’s going on in my day, I’ve got a few things to share with you. So let’s get right to it! Ladies and gentlemen, let me present to you this week’s “Friday Favorites.”

My favorite thing I did this week

Yoga. But not your everyday yoga session. Yoga on the Labyrinth, set to live music inside a beautiful and iconic church. You see, in my neighborhood, there is a gorgeous old church on a hill called Grace Cathedral. I’ve been to services at this church with both my Mom and Dave, and it’s the most breathtaking building both inside and out. Months ago I heard about a weekly yoga session held there and finally got around to trying it out this week, my last week living so close by. All I can say is, wow, I should have gone sooner.

Yoga on the Labyrinth via A Lady Goes WestShown above from top left to right: The street view of Grace Cathedral, yogis waiting for the session to begin, two live musicians and the inside of the beautiful church.

This yoga session took place at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday night inside the church’s main atrium. There were hundreds of people already set up in every little crevice of the area when I arrived about ten minutes before start. I was absolutely blown away by the turn-out, and the fact that mats were nearly on top of each other. But this was not a packed and sweaty power class, in fact, it was much more about healing the body, getting centered and opening the heart. We moved slowly, but with purpose. And we took a lot of time to breathe.

The class opened with a welcome by the priest, a dedication by the yoga instructor, Darren Main, and then about an hour of gentle and nurturing yoga, which was just lovely on all accounts. There were two musicians playing some soft music on a harp with a little bit of singing. And there were assistants walking around to help people with form and adjustments. In such a serene setting, with tons of people around and soothing music, this was a fabulous experience. I just loved it. I felt so amazing after all was said and done.

For those of you in the Bay Area who are interested, Yoga on the Labyrinth asks for a donation of $10 to $20 for attendees, and it’s well worth it. Oh and guess what? The team from LUNA Bar was there giving out some samples, so I walked away with some tasty bars as well. Namaste!

My favorite meal of the week

Changing subjects to something less spiritual. Do you guys brunch? You know, go out to a mid-morning meal on Saturdays or Sundays? I have to admit that Dave and I do not brunch. We’re definitely in the minority here in San Francisco, as brunch is a huge deal. However, up until just a few weeks ago, I taught group fitness classes on the weekend mornings, so that usually eliminated my ability to brunch.

Epic Roasthouse brunch via A Lady Goes WestShown above: Dave and me in front of the Bay Bridge after brunch at Epic Roasthouse. Food shown includes sparkling wine and grapefruit mimosas, lamb meatball skewers on tzatziki couscous, warm spinach salad and yellow-tail ceviche with avocado.

However, this past Sunday, Dave and I joined a couple of our friends for an outdoor brunch at Epic Roasthouse on the Bay. It was so wonderful. The weather was perfect, the food was good and so was the company. It felt strange to get up and get ready for a nice meal out so early in the day, but it was definitely worth it. While I don’t think Dave and I will be standing in 90-minute lines for brunch like the rest of the City any time soon, I do think we’d consider going again. And mimosas? Yes, please.

My favorite at-home treat this week

Have you guys heard of Zeel? It’s an on-demand service for same-day or next-day massages in your own home. How cool, right? The folks at Zeel reached out to me to try out the service gratis. Well, I obliged and am so glad I did. It was so easy, and I had a fabulous massage in the privacy of my own little apartment. All you have to do is sign up via an app on your phone, choose the time, whether you want a male or a female licensed masseuse, a Swedish or deep tissue massage and that’s about it.

Zeel on DemandThat’s my masseuse’s shirt. She was so kind as to hold it out so I could get a good photo.

Shortly after booking a service, I received a call from my friendly masseuse confirming my appointment for the next day. On the day of, she arrived fifteen minutes early, with a portable massage table and all the tools we’d need for a massage, including some spa music and scented oils. All I had to do was provide an area for the massage table and two sheets and a pillowcase. Easy enough. 

My experience with Zeel was great. I found the app easy to use, I found the customer service excellent and I found my massage just what I needed. I would definitely use this service again. The coolest part to me? Typically, when you go get a massage and you finish up, you’re in a very relaxed zone. You don’t want to re-enter the real world, pay for your service and schlep home, completely erasing your feeling of zen. Therefore, getting a massage at home is perfect. I was not sure what I would think about doing something like this in my tiny apartment, but once you lay down and close your eyes, it seems like a spa. Sure does. 

Right now Zeel is available in the Bay Area, New York area, Los Angeles area and South Florida, but they are expanding to new cities soon. And guess what? Zeel is so kind to offer A Lady Goes West readers a chance to sign up and get $25 your first service. You can use this for a one-time massage (normal price is around $110 in the Bay Area) or for a monthly subscription in the Zeelot program (normal price $84 a month in the Bay Area), which also means you get a massage table to keep at your house and reduced massages. Use the promo code: ZeelALGW. And enjoy!

My favorite links of the week

A few things that you may have missed on A Lady Goes West:

I also really enjoyed these great tips on cooking from The Huffington Post, “50 Time-Saving Kitchen Hacks the World Needs to Know.”

Speaking of food, CHECK THIS OUT! Here’s a fun one that I wrote for the Wine Sisterhood blog on how to manage your portions without using a measuring cup: “New Year. New You. Simple portion control tips.”

Okay guys. That’ll do it. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. It’s time to get this move done! See you soon!

Read more Friday Favorites

If you’ve enjoyed browsing through this post, see below for previous editions or visit the the link-up hostesses, Heather, Katie and Clare. 

  1. A snack, a purse and a ritual
  2. A delivery, a bra and a guy
  3. A sweet, a wine and a read
  4. A drink, a gadget and a plan 
  5. A time, a bottle and a powder
  6. San Francisco edition
  7. Beauty edition
  8. Beach vacation edition
  9. Hidden meanings
  10. Kicks, a book and a bowl
  11. The very best sweatshirts
  12. Party hosting and froyo
  13. Fourth of July daytime activity
  14. Beauty basics edition
  15. Workplace edition
  16. Shopping, sales and a show
  17. The foods I always buy
  18. Sushi, a game and pants
  19. Fitness apps
  20. Delicious and healthy products
  21. Comfort, fitness and function
  22. Beauty, buddha and blog events
  23. Dining, the city and gift ideas
  24. POPSUGAR, sweets and such
  25. A bunch of fun stuff
  26. e-book, food, picnic and tunes
  27. A link, a superfood and a mask
  28. Pants, shoes, food and links
  29. Dining, protein and goodies
  30. Shopping, events and a book
  31. A gym bag, pumpkin and juices 
  32. Workout gear, a top and a massage
  33. prAna, a watch, tea and more
  34. Tasty stuff and gift sales
  35. Decor, bars, boots and a drink
  36. Flowers, music and more
  37. Coqueta, a brush and food
  38. My people and the holidays
  39. Beauty, bling and entertainment
  40. A hodge-podge of goodies
  41. Just a few special things
  42. Tasty food, drinks and moving

Questions of the day

What are you up to this weekend? Any plans for the Super Bowl? Do you brunch?

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About Ashley

I'm a mom, writer and group fitness instructor, and A Lady Goes West is where I share fitness and wellness tips, as well as stories and learnings from my life in the San Francisco Bay Area.
 
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Comments

    • Ashley says

      Hi Sue! Yes, it was pretty cool. You’d definitely need to do it during some alone time hehehe. Momma needs her peace and quiet!! Hope you have a wonderful weekend:)

      Reply

  6. Jen@jpabstfitness says

    Happy moving day!
    Not a superbowl person, I couldn’t even tell you who was playing, I would have to google it.
    The husband and I used to brunch when we first got married, now we have 4 kids who go ape crap crazy if they don’t eat first thing when they wake up.
    Jen@jpabstfitness recently posted…Friday Fitness {2}My Profile

    Reply

    • Ashley says

      Hi Jen! hahahha. I’m hungry as soon as I wake up to. I actually ate a mini-breakfast before brunch because I couldn’t wait. But yes, brunch with four kiddos may be tough. Happy Friday to you!! 🙂

      Reply

    • Ashley says

      Hi Carrie! Luckily, we didn’t have to wait 90 minutes for our brunch, but it’s a VERY common thing here. Crazy foodies in SF! Hope you have a happy Friday. Get yourself a massage. 🙂

      Reply

  20. Brittany says

    I don’t have many brunch spots in my town…which is so sad because I WANT TO BRUNCH! Thankfully Seattle is just a hop, skip, and a jump away so if I REALLLYY need to..I can go there.
    Brittany recently posted…A Day OffMy Profile

    Reply

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